Screening and application of microsatellite markers for genetic diversity analysis of Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana)

The Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana) is a large and endangered waterbird in East Asia. Research on conservation genetics of this species is urgently needed. In this study, microsatellite marking technology was used for screening and analysis of genetic diversity of microsatellite markers in Oriental White Storks. A total of 36 pairs of microsatellite primers were used, of which 7 pairs came from Ciconia ciconia, 12 pairs from Nipponia nippon and 17 pairs from Ardea herodias. Microsatellite loci were screened from 23 individuals of the Oriental White Stork and 11 microsatellite loci were found with high polymorphism. The number of population alleles ranged from 3 to 11, averaging 7.09. The average expected heterozygosity (H_e) was 0.7816 and the average polymorphism information content (PIC) 0.7172, suggesting a relatively high genetic diversity in the population.